Fabric-measuring machine



v. 1 192. No 7 F. E. FITCH FABRIC MEASURING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheei 1 Filed May 20, 1920 g; ilvwwwto'o 1 .w

@btozneu I I @W, a

Nov. 1 192-7. 1,647,127

, F. E. FITCH amp mmsuame MACHINE Fil ed May 20. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 \\\\\\\S\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ rllllllll rlrlllllll r 1,647,127 Nov. 1 F. E. FITCH FABRIC MEASURING MAQHINE Filed May 20. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 P k at f. m v @5 (:Uctoww g4 o 1 l 7. N v 92 F. E. FITCH FABRIC MEASURING MACHINE 4 SheecsSheet 4 Filed May 20, 1929 wow. J

ill)

Patented Nov. 1, 1927 UNITED STATES I 1,647,127 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. FITCH, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T COZZENS TRADING COMPANY, INC., OI NEW YORK, N. Y., A. GOELORATION OF NEW YORK.

FABRIC-MEASURING MACHINE.

Application filed May 20,

This invention relates to measuring machines of the type in which the cloth or other fabric is passed in contact with a measuring roller to rotate the same, with integrating mechanism to count the revolutions of the roller and register. the same in linear units and fractions thereof as the corresponding length of the fabric. The chief object of the invention is to provide an improved machin of simple and reliable construction which. shall be more co venient in use than the devices heretofore proposed. To this and other ends the invention comprises the novel features and combinations lfiereinafter described.

One form of the invention isillustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the machine mounted for use on table or store counter, the latter being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section about on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4t is an end View of the mechanism, taken from the left of Fig. 1, the outer housing being in cross section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the mechanism, taken about on line 5 5 of Fig. 1, but omitting the controlling keys.

Fig. 6 is a cross section about on line 6-6 of Fig. .3. i

Fig. 7 is a plan of the parts contained in the base oil? the machine.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the mechanism for locking the register, showing the latter locked.

Fig. 9 isa similar View to Fig. 8 but showing the register or counter unlocked.

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail sectional views about on line lO-l0 of Fig. 2, showing construction and operation of the l;ey-interlock mechanism.

The operative parts of the machine illustrated are enclosed in a housing composed of a flat base 10 in the form of a shallow re ceptacle, and a, ooverportion 11 having at one end a vertical part provided with a horizontal extension 12 overlying the base. The said vertical part contains the registering mechanism, the extension contains the measuring roller, and the base contains the remaining parts, including the cramp roller and the finger keys by which the operation of the machine is controlled. The housing provided at its corners at one end with and controlling keys in the base.

1920. serial no. 382376.

depending lugs 13, Figs. 1 and 3, carrying a pivot or shaft 14: journalled in suitable bearings 15, Fig. 1, mounted in the counter or table indicated at 16, so that the entire machine can be swung up to facilitate dusting or cleaning under it. The bearings are open at the top as indicated, and the ends of the shaft 14:, which shaft is fixed in the lugs 13, are flattened as at 17, so that when the machine is swung far enough it may be removed from the bearings, as will be readily understood.

The housing is divided horizontally into two parts along the line 10, Fig. 1, held together by vertical screws (not shown) er:- ten ding upwardly through the holes 10", Fig. 7, so that when the screws are removed the upper portion can be lifted off, carrying with it the measuring roller and registering mechanism, and exposing the cramp roller All parts are thus readily reached for inspection, cleaning, repair, replacement, etc., with iniu imum expenditure of time and labor.

The measuring roller 18, which has its surface suitably roughened for firm engagement with the cloth, is journalled at one end in a bearing 19 (Figs. 3 and 5) in the outer end of the housing extension 12, and at the other end in a plate or strip 20 (Figs. 3, 5 and arranged across said extension. At its inner end the roller journal has fixed on it a gear 21, Fig. 5, meshing with a larger gear 22 by which the registering mechai'iisin is actuated. The latter includes a countershaft 23 and main shaft :24, both mounted to to rotate in a U-shaped frame 25 extending horizontally from the vertical portion 11 of the housing, on which the frame is firmly but removably secured by screws 26. The measuring roller may be of any suitable diameter, but in the present instance it is such that in its measuring function one rev-- olution is equivalent to one-eighth of a yard, and accordingly the registering wheel or dial 27 is graduated in eighths and is connected to the measuring roller through the medium of gears 28, 29, countershaft .23, and gears 22, 21, in such ratio that one revolution of the roller will turn the dial 27 one-eighth of a revolution, or At the same time the dial 30 is connected to dial 27 by any suitable means in such manner that at each complete revolution of the latter the former will rotate a definite fraction of turn is secured to the frame a revolution, in the present instance onefourteenth of a revolution, to register a whole yard since the maximum length that can be measured with the machine illustrated is 14: yards. The dial 30 has on one side a lug 31 in position to meet a stop 32 on the side of the frame 25 when the dial has made 13 14 of a revolution from its initial or zero position, to prevent over-running and the resulting confusion in reading the dials. The latter are read through openings 33, 34, Fig. 2, in the top of the housing, cove-red by a glass window 35. After each measuring operation the dials are returned to Zero position by'a light spiral spring 36, Fig. 3, having one end anchored to the gear 28 and the other to the drum 3'? which in The spring is under an initial tension su'iiicient to insure the return of the parts and hold the lug 31, Fig. a, lightly against the underside of stop 32, until the registering mechanism is unlocked by the action of stud 61, as described hereinafter.

The cramp'roller 38, which serves to hold the fabric in contact with the measuring roller 18, is mounted on a shaft 38 mounted in an Hshaped frame 39, Figs. 6 and 7, pivotally mounted on a longitudinal shaft or 'pivot supported in lugs ll, 42, in the base 10. The cramp roller is held yieldingly in its upper or operative position by tensioned ,helical springs 43, connected to arms 14% depending from the frame 39 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7) but can be depressed to admit the fabric between the two rollers by means of a finger key or lever 15. The latter is connected to the frame 39 through a pivot l6, Figs. 6 and 7, to permit a slight swinging movement in a horizontal plane, and extends outside of the casing through a slot 17 provided with a shoulder or detent 1-8, Fig. 1, under which .the key may be swung to lock it in depressed position, with the cramp roller 38 separated from the measuring roller 18. .The key isswung yieldingly under the stop by a coil spring d5, Fig. 7, surrounding a {stud l5" extending from the adjacent side of the frame 39. A pivoted dog 19, Figs. 1,10 and 11, is urged toward the key 15 by a coil spring 50. As the key is depressed it meets the tail. 51 of the dog and cams it outwardly, as will be readily understood from Fig. 11, so that when key 52 is locked in depressed position by the dog as in Fig. 1 1, rightward movement of key on pivot 46, Fig. 7, will release key 5 The lever or key 52,- Fig. 7, pivoted on shaft 40, extends outside of the housing through a slot 53 and is urged upwardly by a spring 54:, Fig. 4, connected to an arm 55 depending from the hub '56, Fig. 7 to which said arm is fixed.

The two keys or levers 45 and 52 are arranged close together as shown in Fig. 7.

Key 15 is provided on its inner side with a cam plate 57 having the rear portion 58 of its rear edge inclined. as in Figs. 1, 8 and 5), while key 52 is providmjl on its adj aceut thee with a similar plate .59 but having its rear edge 60 inclined in the opposite direction. Between the hight of these two cams a stud 61 (see also Fig. 3) on the lower arm of a bell-crank locking lever 62, fulcrumed at 63 in the frame 25. The upper or horizontal arm of this lever has an offset tooth (it adapted to engage the gear 22, which constitutes a recessed rotatable member moving in harmony with the measuring roller and liavlng recesses in its periphery, any one of which may be engaged by said tooth, therebv locking the registering mechanism, when the lever is swung counterclockwise (Figs. 8 and 9) by its spring 65. It will now be seen that when key 52 is aised and key de pressed, as in Fig. 8, the stud (31 can swing rightwardly and thereby permit tooth (i-l; to engage the gen. 22 and lock the same; also when key is de n'cssod or kev -l i raised, and when both are depressed as in Fig. 9, the gear is unlocked by edge (30 or edge 58 cumming the stud (l1 leltwai dly.

Lever 52, Figs. 7, 10 and 11, is prwshlcd with an arm 66 overhanging lever El-5, so that when lever 52 is depressed it will also depress lever to, thereby unlocking the reg tering mechanism (as explained in the 1TH- ceding paragraph) and lowering the cramp roller 38 to adi'nit the fabric between the latter and the measuring roller 18. its the arm 66 descends it meets the inclined edge of a lug 6'7 on the dog 4:9 and cams the dog outwardly until the lug is pa. whereupon the spring 50 retracts 'he dog a nd brings the lug over the arm (36 as in Fig. 11. therobv locking both keys or levers in ilcpre ed prisition. l l hcn both keys are deprtwed. as in Fig. 9. the locking tooth (3 1; is disengaged from the gear 22 and hence the mechanism is unlocked, permitting the sin'ing 36, Fig. 3. to return the registering dials to initial or zero position, as previously explained. I

The operation of the machine will now be readily understood. cloth keys being in their upper position, as seen in Fig. i, the operator depresses key which. lhrough the agency of arm 66 (Fig. 7), depres es key 4-5, thereby deln'essingthe cramp roller 38 and holding bellcrank lever 62 in its clockwise position with tooth (ll disengaged from gear 22, as clearly shown in Fl l f). The operator new places the longitudinal edge of the fabric between the rollers. with its end edge at the shear-blades 68, (39 (de scribed below in connection with Fig. 1). He then swings key 4:5, Fig. 11, out from under the detent 48, which permits the kev to rise (under the influence of springs 43.. Figs. 6 and 7) and also releases high? of dog 49 from key 52, thereby permitting the loo key is limited in both directions.

latter key to rise also. The upward movemeat of key 52 alone would permit the bellcrank locking lever (32 to lock the gear 22, but the simultaneous upward movement of key causes cam 58 to rock the lever down, thereby keeping the gear unlocked. The fabric, gripped by the two rollers, is now pulled through the machine until the amount to be measured olf shows on the registering dials 2'7, 30. The operator now depresses the shear blade 69 by pressing on key 70, thereby nicking the edge of the fabric, and upon release of key 70 he depresses key 45, which withdraws cam 58 from the stud 61, in Fig. 8, and thereby permits the locking lever 82 to swing up under the influence of spring 65'and bring tooth 64 into engagement with the gear 22, at the same time swingingthe cramp roller 38 down. The fabric can now be withdrawn for cutting or tearing; at the nick, but the register is left locked, showing the measurement.v so that the salesman can make out the usual sales slip or bill with the measurement in sight instead of being merely carried in his memory. life then depresses key 52, which unlocks the register by the action of cam 60 as already explained, and permits spring 36, Fig. 3, to return. the numeral dials to zero position.

Both keys being in depressed position, as in Fig. 9, the machine is ready for another measurement. If it is desired to permit the cramp roller to swing up, key 4.5 is swung out from under stop 48 (Fig. 11), thus swinging dog 49 outof engagement with arm '66 on key 52, as indicated. by the dotted line position of the dog in the figure named.

Key can then rise; and key l5, upon reby the operator, can rise also. All

the parts are then in initial position, shown in Figs. 1, 3 and l. y

The shear blade 68, Fig.1, is fixed on the side of the housing base 10. Blade 69 is arricd by the key 70, pivotedon said base t 71, and is provided with radial lugs 72, i3 to cooperate with an interposed stop 74 on the housing, by which the swing of the A spring 75 is provided to open the blades when key 70 is released. This spring is composed of a piece of spring wire, with one end bearing downwardly on stud T l. The wire is wound (clockwise) at least once. around stud 71 on which key 70 is pivoted, and its other end bears on the right side of stud 77 fixed. on the back of the key. The tendency of the spring to uncoil (counterclockwise) therefore urges the key in the same direction and hence holds the key normally in the position shown, with the blades 69 and 68 open to receive the cloth. Depression of the key by the operators finger cuts a nick in the edge of the cloth so that the latter can be readily torn to sever the measured portion from the bolt.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction herein illustrated and described but can be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit.

I claim:

1. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed to rotate the same, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers to register the length of fabric so passed; of manually actuated means for separating the rollers to admit the fabric between them; means operating when the aforesaid manual means is actuated to lock the registering mechanism; and manual means for unlocking the registering mechanism.

2. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers to register the length of the fabric so passed, including a recessed member moving in harmony with said roller; of manually controlled means for locking the registering mechanism with such length registered thereon, said means including a locking d-etent adapted to engage a recess in said recessed member and thereby lock the registering mechanism.

3. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed to rotate the same, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers to register the length of the fabric so passed, said mechanism including recessed member rotating in harmony with said roller; of manually actuated means for separating said rollers to permit insertion and withdrawal of the fabric; a locking detent; and means operating when the aforesaid manual means is actuated, to shift said detent into engagement with a recess in said rotating member and thereby lock the reg istering mechanism.

l. The machine described in claim 5, in combination with manual means for disenga n 23" 2.": the locking detent from the recessed memher and thereby unlocking the registering mechanism, whilemaintaining the rollers separated.

5.1n a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed. and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric so passed; of manual means for separating the rollers and locking the registering mechanism in the same op r ation, and manual means for unlocking the registering mechanism without permitting the rollers to come together.

6. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric so passed; of manual ill mechanism for separating the rollers and locking the registering mechanism in the same operation, means for locking said manual mechanism to keep the rollers separated and the registering mechanism locked,

and manual means for unlocking the registering mechanism without unlocking said manual mechanism. 7

7. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers to register the length of fabric so passed; of a manual member for separating the rollers, means operatingautomatically to engage the registering mechanism directly and lock the same when said manual means is actuated to separate the rollers, and manual means for disengaging the automatic means from the registering mechanism to unlock the same.

7 8. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric so passed; of a manual member for separating the rollers; a detent to lock the manual member with the rollers separated, said member being manually releasable from the detent to permit the rollers to be brought together again; means operating automatically to engage the registering mechanism and lock the same when said manual member is actuated to separate the rollers; a second manual member to dis engage said automatic means from the registering mechanism and thereby unlock the same; and locking means to engage and lock the second manual member, said locking means being releasable to unlock the latter by the release of the first-mentioned manual member from said detent. i

9. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric sopassed; of a manually actuated member for separating the rollers and lockingthe registering mechanism in one operation; a detent to releasably engage and lock said member with the rollers separated and the registering mechanism locked; a second manually actuated member to unlock the registering mechanism without releasing the first-mentioned member; and automatic means to engage and lock the second member when the latter is actuated, butreleasable therefrom by release of the first member from said detent. Q

10. In a fabric measuring machine, the

combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed. and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric so passed; of a manually actuated member for separating the rollers and locking the registering mechanism in one operation; a detent for locking said manual member with the rollers separated and the registering mechanism locked, said member being manually mm ablo 'l'or disengagement from said detent; a second manually actuated member to unlock the registering mechanism without releasing the first-mentioned member; and a pivoted dog to engage and lock the second member when the latter is actuated to unlock the registering mechanism, said dog being adapted to be released from the second'member by release of the first member from said detent.

11. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric so passed; of manual means for separating the rollers to permit insertion and removal of the fabric; means for'releasably locking the rollers apart; means for locking the registering mechanism; and manual means for unlocking the registering mechanism without unlocking the rollers.

12. In afabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for rcgiste1-- ing the length of fabric so passed, said mechanism having a toothed wheel; of a pivoted locking member having :1 lug adapted to engage said toothed wheel to lock the registering mechanism; a spring connected with said member to swing the same into locking position; a manual member for separating the rollers; and means actuated by said manual member to shift the locking member out of locking position while the manual member is manipulated to permit the rollers to come together.

13. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registermg the length of fabric so passed; of a manual member for separating the rollers; a spring-actuated locking member normally held disengaged from the registerin g mechanism; means enabling aetuatioir of the manual member for separating the rollers to release the locking men'iber whereby the latter can engage and lock the registering mechanism; and manual means for disengaging the locking member from the registering mechanism independently of the said manual member.

let. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with separable rollers between which the fabric is passed, and mechanism operated by one of said rollers for registering the length of fabric so passed; ofaiinanual member shiftable from an initial position to separate the rollers; a spring-actuatedill) lllll Ill) member to engage and thereby lock the registering mechanism; means enabling return of the manual member to its initial position to disengage the locking member from the registering mechanism; and manual means for disengaging the locking member from the registering mechanism independently of said manual member.

15. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with mechanism for registering the length of the fabric measured thereby, of a spring-actuated member for locking the registering mechanism; a manual member cooperating with the locking member and shiftable from an initial position in which the locking member is held out of engagement with the registering mechanism to a. position in which the locking member is permitted to engage said mechanism; and a second manual member adapted to disengage the locking member from said mechanism in dependently of the first manual member.

16. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with mechanism for registering the length of the fabric measured thereby of a locking member shiftable into and out of engagement with the registering mechanism to lock and unlock the same, and a pair of manual members having oppositely inclined cams cooperating with the locking member to shift the same and thereby lock and unlock the registering mechanism.

17. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with mechanism for registering the length of the fabric measured thereby; of a member for locking the registering mechanism; a manual member movable in one direction to disengage the locking member and a manual member movable in an other. direction to disengage the locking member.

18. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with mechanism for registering the length of the fabric measured thereby; of a locking member shiftable in one direction to lock the registering mechanism and in another direction to unlock the same; a stud carried by the locking member; a manual member having an inclined cam-edge cooperating with said stud to shift the lock ing member in one direction; and a manual member having an oppositely inclined camedge cooperating with said stud to shift the locking member in said other direction.

19. In a fabric measuring machine, the combination with mechanism for registering the length of the fabric measured thereby; of a member shiftable to lock and unlock said mechanism; a manual member shiftable vertically to enable the locking member to engage the registering mechanism, and shiftable horizontally thereafter; a detent to engage and lock the manual member after horizontal movementthereof; a manual member movable vertically to shift the lockii men'iber out of engagement with the registering mei'nber; and means operating automatically to lock the second manual member after said vertical movement thereof; and means enabling reverse horizontal movement of the first manual member, for releasing the same from said detent, to release the second manual member.

20. In a cloth measuring machine, the combination with a. manually depressible member, and a manually depressible and horizontally movable member; of a detent for locking the latter member in depressed position after horizontal movement thereof; a dog adapted to engage the first member and lock the same in depressed position, and having a tail in the path of the horizontally movable member, whereby shifting of the latter out of engagement with the detent will shift the dog out of engagement with the other manual member.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

FRANK E. FITCH. 

